Indiana State University Newsroom

Two seniors to receive President's Medal during winter commencement

Two student leaders at Indiana State University will be recognized for their service to the campus and the community Saturday (Dec. 18) during fall commencement exercises at noon in Hulman Center.

Regina Alicia Atkins of Indianapolis and Michael Dennis Lee Scott, Jr. of Gary have been selected to receive the President's Medal for Leadership, Scholarship and Service. The award is presented to a junior or senior who has made community service an integral part of his or her college experience.

Atkins, a communication major, plans to begin a career in event management upon graduation. At Indiana State, Atkins served as president of Hulman Memorial Student Union Board, also serving as entertainment chairperson and homecoming committee student advisor and coordinator. She was a member of the President's Scholars Association, serving as vice president from 2008-2010.

As an ambassador for Indiana State, Atkins worked in the Office of Admissions as a student-to-student advisor and a Sycamore Advantage University Assistant. She served on a number of committees, including Student Commencement Speaker and University Speaker Series. She served as coordinator of the Black Leadership Conference. Atkins participated in Relay for Life, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Donaghy Day.

Atkins is the recipient of numerous awards, including the President's Scholarship, Richard G. Landini Outstanding Junior Award, Alan C. Rankin Outstanding Senior Award, John Moore Outstanding President's Scholar Award and the J. D. Miller Distinguished Service Award. In the Terre Haute community, she served as a public relations intern for the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and Wabash River Development and Beautification, Inc.

She is the daughter of Reginald and Margaret Atkins and a 2006 graduate of Ben Davis High School.

Scott, a political science and social studies education major, will intern with the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus upon graduation. Following completion of his internship, Scott will teach high school social studies in Dallas, Texas, as part of Teach for America.

At Indiana State, Scott was a member of Student Government Association, serving as president for two terms, as well as Senate president pro-tempore and president of Freshmen Council. He was a resident assistant and a Sycamore Advantage University Assistant. Scott was a member of Hulman Memorial Student Union Board, Indiana Student Education Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Ebony Majestic Choir.

A founding member of Student African American Brotherhood, Scott was also a founding member of Reclaiming the Talented Tenth. He served on several committees, including University Speaker Series, University Athletic, Dean of Students Search Committee and President Search Committee.

Scott participated in the Hull House Service Learning Trip, Jam the Bus, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Take Back the Night.

Scott is the recipient of several awards, including the African American Achievement Award, the Alan C. Rankin Memorial Senior Award, the Ruth Ann Elrod Scholarship for Excellence in Education, the Jack Johnson Scholarship for Excellence in Political Science and Preparing and Recruiting Teachers to Work in High Needs Schools Scholar Award.

Scott is the son of Sharon and Michael Scott, Sr. and a 2006 graduate of Lew Wallace High School.

ISU commencement will be broadcast online beginning at 11 a.m. The processional of graduates is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. followed by the commencement ceremonies at noon. To watch, click on the "Commencement Broadcast" link on the left side of the ISU home page (http://www.indstate.edu). There is no fee to watch the graduation exercises.